Mortal: I have a gathering technique

Silent all night.

The next morning, Fang Qing and Han Li checked out of their lodgings and left Tai Nan Valley along with many other cultivators.

On his way to the Ascension Assembly, Han Li made another breakthrough in his cultivation, entering the ninth level of Qi Refining.

"You've reached the ninth floor! Congratulations!" Fang Qing cupped his hands in congratulations.

"Just lucky." Han Li chuckled and touched his nose.

Are you also a lucky guy?

Fang Qing couldn't help but roll her eyes at Han Li.

This kid has probably gotten his hands on a lot of good stuff in Tainan Valley, and now he's not hiding it from me anymore, and he's becoming more and more confident.

I wonder what his expression will be when he finds out I have a talisman hidden in my possession.

Fang Qing thought viciously.

……

The Ascension Ceremony was held in a secluded mountain ridge in Lanzhou, a place rarely visited by people.

During their journey, Fang Qing had expected to encounter a thief, since the two had made frequent moves at the Tai Nan Small Gathering, which would not have escaped the notice of those who were interested.

Unexpectedly, the journey went surprisingly smoothly.

When the two of them arrived at the mountain ridge, thousands of independent cultivators had already gathered there.

As far as the eye can see, besides the sea of ​​people, there are seven fighting platforms built of bluestone.

The seven dueling platforms correspond to the seven major sects of the Yue Kingdom.

Based on past experience with the Ascension Ceremony, once a winner is determined, the guides from the seven sects will appear and lead the winner back to their sect.

At this moment, the cultivators gathered in small groups around the arena, some whispering, some meditating and resting, without making a fuss.

Fang Qing and Han Li found a spot near the arena in Huangfeng Valley and sat down, waiting quietly.

Soon after, the Ascension Ceremony began.

The selection method in the arena is two-on-two matches to advance.

As the name suggests, all challengers are paired up and compete against each other. The loser is eliminated, and the winner advances to the next round. This cycle continues until only ten remain.

This selection mechanism requires a certain amount of luck.

Don't feel it's unfair.

As we all know, luck is also a part of ability.

After the challenge began, Fang Qing sat up straight and focused on watching the battle, absorbing combat experience from it.

To be honest, the first few rounds of the competition were not particularly fierce.

Because most cultivators only have one or two trump cards, if they are unlucky and encounter an evenly matched opponent early on, their trump cards will be used up one by one, and the battle between the two sides will end after a brief exchange.

Even if you win, you'll most likely still be eliminated later on.

Only when there are fewer and fewer challengers and victory is getting closer will everyone fight desperately.

They were truly working incredibly hard.

Fang Qing witnessed firsthand how various basic and advanced talismans were being thrown out as if they were free.

Various roaring sounds and screams echoed throughout the mountains.

In the final rounds, someone would die almost every few games.

Fang Qing was particularly impressed by the last match.

Both fighters were experts at the eleventh level of Qi Refining. They exchanged blows, first with spells, then with magical artifacts, and finally with their inner strength.

In the end, both of them exhausted their magic power and destroyed their magical artifacts. When they were at their wits' end, one of them finally took out a Fire Feather Talisman, feeling that victory was in his grasp, and laughed triumphantly.

Unexpectedly, the opponent also possessed an ice talisman of the same level.

After the talisman was activated, both sides perished on the arena.

It's truly tragic and lamentable!

The rogue cultivators watching from below the stage turned pale and broke out in a cold sweat when they saw this scene.

Some of the more timid cultivators even fled in panic, as if trying to escape.

During this time, Fang Qing did not forget to keep an eye on Han Yunzhi and her brother.

To his surprise, this strong man from the Han family, with his extraordinary physique and courage, managed to hold on until the very end.

The mystery of fate is truly fascinating.

……

Beyond the mountains, beside a small river.

Fang Qing sat on a half-buried bluestone, smiling as he looked at Han Li and asked:

"So, what are your thoughts after watching it?"

After the conference ended, the group of cultivators dispersed. The two of them carefully avoided the crowds and finally stopped here to rest.

Han Li frowned slightly at Fang Qing's teasing tone.

"What can you possibly think? Just like you said, senior brother, if you want to continue on the path of immortality, you can't escape having to go through that arena."

To be honest, this Ascension Ceremony really opened Han Li's eyes.

The horrific scene that unfolded during the incident terrified him, but the thought of having the little green bottle gave him confidence.

The Ascension Ceremony is held once every ten years.

With these ten years, Han Li has absolute confidence that he can cultivate to the twelfth level of Qi Refining, and then buy several, or even a dozen, of those high-level talismans and top-level magic weapons.

Therefore, he refused to believe that he couldn't get through it.

Fang Qing also saw through Han Li's thoughts at this moment, and said with a faint smile:

"I know that with your abilities, junior brother, if I give you ten years, you will definitely be able to get a spot in the next Ascension Conference."

"However, I must tell you, if you really wait for the next Ascension Conference, by then it might be too late."

Han Li was taken aback, looking blankly at Fang Qing, "What do you mean?"

Fang Qing remained silent. He remembered very clearly that the Crimson Forbidden Land would only open twice more.

Ten years later, Han immediately joined the Seven Great Sects, but could no longer go to the Crimson Forbidden Land, not to mention the invasion of the demonic path.

However, this was not something he could easily explain to Han Li. After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Han Li and said:

"This matter is of great importance. I cannot explain the specific reasons to you, but if you trust your brother, come with me to the market in Huangfeng Valley. Within six months, I guarantee you will be accepted into Huangfeng Valley."

Han Li's eyes flashed.

Six months later, it will be the day when the major sects open their gates and select disciples from their subordinate families.

"Could it be that Senior Brother has obtained identification documents from a cultivation family?"

Han Li's mind raced as he tried to guess what methods Fang Qing might use.

After a short while, he gazed deeply at Fang Qing and then solemnly agreed.

"good!"

Fang Qing smiled and was about to tell Han Li about the upcoming itinerary.

Suddenly, a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy emanated from beneath my feet.

Fang Qing's expression changed abruptly, and he quickly shouted a reminder:

"Be careful!"

As he shouted, he suddenly rose into the air, twisted his body in mid-air, and darted to the side.

This movement technique was a lightness skill that Fang Qing obtained from a martial arts master. Like Han Li's Luo Yan Step, it uses pure physical strength.

At the same moment, Han Li, like him, also jumped high into the air.

The instant they took to the air, the land about ten feet in diameter where they stood transformed into a swirling mass of yellow sand in the blink of an eye.

It's quicksand magic!

A thief has launched a sneak attack!

At this moment, although Fang Qing's face was full of shock and anger, for some reason he was not flustered at all, but rather eager to try.

While he was still in mid-air, his right hand had already spread out its five fingers, and with a crackling sound, small fireballs the size of pigeon eggs suddenly condensed at the tips of his five fingers.

"go!"

As Fang Qing flicked his five fingers in quick succession, five fireballs lined up in a straight line and blasted towards a certain spot on the ground.